Armpit hair signals sex because it grows during puberty and is one of the first signs of maturity (and fertility). And it signals sex because it transmits the scents that lead to mating. It triggers disgust because it reminds humans how dangerous sex can be. And that's why we shave it off.
It reduces friction
Armpit hair prevents skin-to-skin contact when doing certain activities, such as running and walking. The same thing happens with pubic hair, as it reduces friction during sex and other activities.
The Role of Underarm Hair
They found that the absence of hair optimizes cleansing and makes one's daily hygiene more effective in reducing body odor. Similarly, a 2012 study published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology states that the odor of shaved armpits (in men) was rated more attractive than hairy armpits.
Armpit hair makes your pits smell bad.
This is probably the most popular pit myth. Not so, folks. Bacteria intermingling with your sweat is actually what produces the odor; however, I think some people believe that your hair makes a more fertile pad for said bacteria.
While there are no true health benefits to shaving the arms, some people prefer the look and feel of hair-free arms and others find that having hairless armpits minimizes body odor associated with armpit sweat.
Lele Gomes, esthetician and celebrity waxer at the Rita Hazan Salon, estimates that armpit hair grows at approximately one inch per month. According to Gomes, getting luscious underarm tresses like Jemima Kirke will likely take at least one to two months.
Odor from any part of your body is caused by bacteria, strictly speaking. The sweat glands, including those under your arms, produce sweat that mixes with bacteria, causing the telltale unpleasant scent of body odor. Having hair under your arms can make you feel warmer, which can cause more sweat.
At puberty hormones caused you to grow pubic and underarm hair. When those hormones diminished, so did the hair in those areas. It is totally normal for the hair to diminish or disappear. Yippee, no more shaving.
The research shows that body hair by itself is not a cause of bad body odor. But everyone is unique. Some guys report smelling better after their shave their armpits, body hair, or pubes. They feel that it makes them sweat less and smell better.
With the westernization of much of Asia, China especially, came the trend of hair removal. But although hair removal does occur, and has risen in popularity, most women of all generations, simply choose not to. Many Chinese medical practitioners believe that removal of armpit hair and pubic hair is unhealthy.
By saying it's OK for women not to shave as long as they look like someone who shaves, we're perpetuating the idea that body hair on women is a bad thing. If you accept women as they are, you accept their leg hair, armpit hair, arm hair, facial hair, and any other hair they have, no matter how much of it there is.
"It's safe to shave your legs, bikini area, and armpits every day if necessary," says Francesca Fusco, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. "It's not unhealthy, it just needs to be done properly." So, in short: It comes down to your personal preference and the routine you like to keep.
Adrenarche is usually normal in girls who are at least 8 years old, and boys who are at least 9 years old. Even when pubic and underarm hair appear in children younger than this, it is still usually nothing to worry about, but your child does need to see their pediatrician for an exam.
Hair growth rate varies from across the body, with head hair growing on average about an inch a month, that's up to 0.5mm a day, while armpit hair grows up to 0.27mm a day.
Asian hair
It grows perpendicularly to the scalp. This hair type has the fastest growth rate at approximately 1.4 centimeters per month. A strand of Asian hair has a somewhat round, even shape. Nonetheless, Asian hair has the lowest density of the three ethnicities.
The bottom line. Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin. Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor.
Underarm hair can trap moisture, too, creating a swampy environment that odor-causing bacteria revel in. So you may feel dryer (and therefore think you're sweating less) with shaved underarms.
Additionally, having hairy underarms can prevent antiperspirants from reaching the skin, which can make them less effective in stopping sweat. So, does shaving your armpits make you sweat less? No, but it will likely reduce the damage to your clothes when you do sweat.
Although when it comes to menstruation, nothing is “normal” this is really common. There's no set of “period rules” that say first armpit hair then period, or vice versa. And in some cases women grow very little to no underarm hair at all. That's just what's normal for them.
Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
armpit (n.)
mid-14c., "hollow place under the shoulder," from arm (n. 1) + pit (n. 1).
Body hair, including belly hair, is completely normal. Some people keep the hair on their belly, while others choose to remove it. There's no medical reason to remove the hair from your stomach — it's purely a personal preference.
If you choose to shave, It may be a good idea to wait until you're 12 to 14 years old to shave your legs. Teens of this age are more likely to have the maturity to shave safely without hurting themselves. Skin cuts can result in bleeding and infection.
Are women supposed to keep it, or shave it all off? The short answer is: It's up to you. There's no physical health benefit to shaving your arms, but when you have your hair groomed in a way that makes you feel your best, it can boost your self-esteem and positively affect your mental health.